Gravity system for measuring the contents of tanks



June 14, 1932. F. T. DAVIS 1,863,435

GRAVITY SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE CONTENTS OF TANKS Original Filed July 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR lNlTNESSES 1 7 mm aizhwis I ATTORNEY F. T. DAVIS June 14, 1932.

GRAVITY SYSTEM FO'R MEASURING THE CONTENTS OF TANKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 10, 1928 INVENTOR FPanIf'IZDCLUl-S WITNESSES ATTORNEYS or to the tank.

Patented June 14, 1932 FRANK T. DAVIS, or HABANA, cue A GRAVITY SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE CONTENTS OF TAIFKS Application filed July 10, 1928, Serial No. 291,561, and in Cuba May 13, 1928. Renewed April 26, 1932.

The invention relates to tank gauges. It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved visual means for gauging the quantity of liquids Within a tank, and to determine the rate of flow of liquids from Another object of the invention is to provide visual gauging means which may be removably associated with a tank, thus preventing accidental injury to the gauge glass when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide visual gauging means without requiring the useof a gauge glass extending the full length of a tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved coupling for re movably securing a gauge glass in liquidtight relation with its receiving coupling.

Other objects of the invention include novel and improved gauge glass retaining members, and an improved means for securing a conduit in association with the tank.

These and other objects of the invention will be more apparent from reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved gauging assembly.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the lines 33 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 4 is a detail view of an improved plug for use in the assembly. i

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the gauge glass and my improved retaining means.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 represents a liquid tank. It is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the specific form of tank illustrated,

the invention being applicable to many forms of liquid containers.

For roughly determining the approximate contents of the tank, there is provided a scale 11 over which a float controlled indicator 12 is adapted to move by connection V quantities of liquid within the tank, the apwith a flexible member 13, which may be actuated by a float member within the tank (not shown). It will be understood that in by the use of my improved retaining means,

the use of the float controlled method of gauge, that inaccuracies take place, especial- 1y when viscous liquids are used which usually form a team which raises the float, thus, moving the indicator 12 without accurately indicating the amount of liquid Within the do tan It is an object of the present invention to overcome this inaccuracy. Associated with the tank any conventional form of supply or discharge system may be utilized. Such a system is disclosed in the present invention, including a supply or discharge pipe 15 controlled'by valve 16 entering the tank as at 17. The liquid may enter or discharge through pipe 18 controlled by the valve 19; pipe 18 being associated with 'the'pipe 15 through a Tconnection 20. To the opposite side of the T20 my improved gauging means may be associated through suitable coupling 21. My gauging system includes a vertical stand pipe 22 provided at spaced intervals, determined by the length of the gauge glass to be used and the character of the tank, with T connections 23 which are normally provided with a wing plug 24 asfillustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The plug comprises an externally threaded. body 25 which. is preferably solid, and includes diverging wings26 Which may be readilyutilized for attaching or detaching the plug to the T 23 by engagement of the threads 25 with the internal threads of the T. The stand pipe 22 is preferably secured to the tank ladder 27 as illustrated in Fig.3, andwhich comprises a substantially U-shaped strap'28, the extremities' of which are externally threaded as at 29 to'accommodate pipe-embracing inember 30. The U-shaped member is adap'ted to encircle the upright 31 0f the ladder 27 to securebetwe en the'upright 31 and the pipe engaging member 30 the stand pipe 22 by the use of nuts 32 on the threaded eX- I tremities of the U 28, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.-

WVhen it is desired to accurately gauge proximateheight of the liquid maybe readily observed from the pointer 12 in combinathe T 23 after having closed the valve 16 to prevent the flow of liquid through the stand pipe 22. After removal of the plug 24', my improved gauge glass assembly as illustrated in Fig. is applied to the Referring more particularly to Fig. 5,' iny gauge glass assembly includes a tubular gauge glass 32 which is preferably scaled in a manner determined by the areaof the tank and the length of stand pipe between the Ts 23. The gauge glass 32 is receivable within a substantially curved gaugerreceiving mem; her 33 externally threaded as at 3451 .01" .engagement within the internal threads of the E'- 23. The opposite end of the member 33 is provided with a recess 3.5 slightly larger than the outside diameter of the gauge glass :32, the open end of which is flared as at :36 to receive a resilient packing ring .37 carriedby the lower end of the gauge glass 32. Recess 35 forms in combination with the walls of the member 33 a shoulder 88 upon which the lower ends of the gauge glass 32 rests. The upper end of the gauge glass .32 is receivable within a retaining member 40 provided at one end with a circular aperture through which the glass 32 isadapted to pass. The opposite end of the member 410 is provided with a larger circular aperture 42 which is adapted to encircle the stand'pipe 32 and rest servation of the tank contents by a cheap and simple apparatus. 7

Various changes and alterations might be made in the general form and arrangement of the parts described Without departing from the invention. Hence I do not Wish to limi mysel to the ails t forth, but Shall consider mysel at iberty to make Such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims I claim; '1. A device ofthe'c'haracter described comp ising a s and p pe, a p ural ty o Ts associated with said standpipe, a pluralityof pl gs assoc ated wi h said Us, and a gaug glass assembly adapt d to be selecti ely asseciated with oncofszirl s upon remnval of the plugi om-the T. 5 2.- ..A devised the haract r-desc ibed co r prising, a stand pipe having for at turning a gauge glass ass mbly at ,YeriQ po nts a ong th pipe, a ga ge gla s a em ly adap ed 0 be miserably and tively assec ated at vari us paints in such stand pipe, said assembly including means or'attaching the g uge glass. at he wrie nointsinthe stan piper i T- QAVIS:

upon the T 23. A struck out portion 43in i the aperture 12 is provided, within which a spring element 44 may be inserted tor retain.- ing the member 40 in rigid engagement with stand pipe'22. After the gauge assembly has been properly connected with the desired T, the valve 16 is opened,li.quid from the tank flowing therethrough and upwardly in stand pipe, 22, and by gravity assuming a level in the stand pipe 22 equal to the level of liquid within the r After the required determinations, the

Till) valve 16 may be closed, the gauge glass assembly removed, and the plug 24 returned to the T 23." Valve 16 may again be opened, and

the usual ingress or egress of liquid may take place through the conduit 18. The gauge glass assemb y may then be packed away securely without danger of damage until such curate determination of the tank contents.

.timeas it is desired toagain make an ac- It may thus be seen that my invention pro- V ri es for the c rat de ermi a ion o height of the l qu d wi h nece sitating the use of an expensive gauge glass extending the entire .length of the tank, the C051? of which, in connection with large tanks would be prohibitive. The invention provides for l the convenience and accuracy of visual ob- 

